Voices Unlocked Ep. 6 | Aaron’s Story, Finding Support, and the International Child Peace Prize

Email us at [email protected] and Liv welcome guest Aaron, whom they have known since he was a child through Time Matters, and reflect on his early confidence in support groups and media work, including a BBC News interview. Aaron shares how his dad went to prison when he was nine, why his family chose not to maintain contact, and how rebuilding foundations through his mum’s research and peer support helped him cope. He describes stigma and bullying at school, including threats and being judged as destined to offend, and discusses the importance of vulnerability and safe spaces. They talk about the verbatim theatre production Eight Hours There and Back and Aaron’s later work presenting for BBC The One Show. Aaron also recounts being shortlisted worldwide for the International Child Peace Prize, placing second, and shares his current achievements in the Air Cadets and as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet.00:00 Disclaimer00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro01:34 Catching Up and Memories05:36 Aaron Dad Prison Story06:34 Choosing No Contact09:49 Rebuilding Foundations11:44 Safe Space and Vulnerability14:11 Theatre Project Origins20:04 One Show and Impact23:40 School Struggles and Stigma27:33 Stigma and Expectations29:27 Breaking the Criminal Gene Myth30:48 Safeguarding and Enabling Environments33:01 Motivation and Paying It Forward35:17 London Trips and Tube Chaos38:57 Child Peace Prize Spotlight41:46 Top Three Journey and Global Stage48:03 Subtitles and Speech Impact50:35 Cadets Role and New Achievements52:35 Gratitude and Wrap Up